Ensuring a high level of physical, mental, and social well-being in the workplace is crucial for fostering a safe and productive environment. We have an extensive range of resources available in SPP’s Reading Room to help organisations implement safe work practices and comply with relevant legislation, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and applicable state or territory legislation.
SPP’s Reading Room houses a wealth of materials on critical workplace safety topics, including policy templates and information sheets. Here are some key areas covered:
Whistleblower Protection:
Whistleblowing is a powerful tool for combatting fraud and misconduct, promoting transparency and integrity within organisations. We have a number of resources to help organisations develop and maintain a robust Whistleblower policy. Notably, a Whistleblower policy will soon become a mandatory requirement under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, making it crucial for organisations to stay ahead of this regulatory change.
SPP resources:
- Info Sheet: Whistleblower Protection
- Policy: Whistleblower Protection (Public Companies)
- Policy: Whistleblower Protection (Small Organisations)
Psychosocial Safety Risks:
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their workers where “reasonably practicable”, as managing psychosocial safety risks is essential for maintaining a safe and supportive work environment. It’s important that organisations implement strategies to protect their employees’ psychological health and enhance overall workplace safety.
SPP resources:
- Info Sheet: Psychological Safety in the Workplace
- Policy: Psychological Safety for Staff
For a more detailed overview, you might like to take a look at our earlier blog post “Psychosocial hazards and psychological safety in the workplace”.
Domestic and Family Violence:
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced family or domestic violence in the past four years. It is vital for organisations to provide training and support for employees affected by domestic violence, ensuring they are not discriminated against. Our resources offer guidance on how to support staff effectively and create a safe workplace.
SPP resources:
- Info sheet: Domestic and Family Violence Workplace Strategy
- Policy: Domestic and Family Violence
Drug, Alcohol, and Smoking Policies:
Misuse of drugs and alcohol in the workplace can pose significant safety risks and may involve sensitive personal issues. Effective policies and procedures are essential for managing these risks with care and confidentiality. SPP’s Reading Room includes templates and information to help organisations develop policies that address drug, alcohol, and smoking-related issues and improve workplace safety.
SPP resources:
- Policy: Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking in the Workplace
- Info: Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace
Manual Handling:
Manual handling involves tasks that require lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, or restraining objects or people. These activities are common across various workplaces and are a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). While not all manual handling activities are unsafe, it’s vital to assess and manage the risks associated with it effectively. Our detailed policy brief offers guidance for employers on how to evaluate, manage, and respond to manual handling risks and perform these tasks in the safest possible way.
SPP resource:
- Policy: Manual Handling
The above resources are just a few examples of the diverse collection of information sheets and policies that are available in SPP’s Reading Room, all aimed at helping organisations create safe, secure, and compliant workplaces.
SPP has additional resources covering other worker-safety topics such as:
- Policy: Managing Violence and Aggression
- Policy: Remote or Isolated Workers
- Policy: Workplace Surveillance
- Policy: Grievances and Disputes
- Policy: Working From Home
And the list goes on!
By exploring these materials, you’ll stay informed about the latest policies and best practices in workplace safety.
To access all of these resources and more, visit SPP’s Reading Room and use the topic filter > Safe Environment > Safety Systems to bring up our suite of workplace safety resources, or if you’re after a specific topic, use the search function to narrow your search to specific topics like “manual handling.”
For any queries, please contact us at team@bngonline.com.au or call 02 9569 1704.
Stay proactive in safeguarding your workplace and ensuring the well-being of all your staff!
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